Manure-spreader



(No Model.) 2 sneets-sheet 1.

' 2 sheets-sheet 2.

y(No Modem.

H. WATKINS MANURB SPREADBR- No. 536,712. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

larry wkzln@ fallen-L091 gy af/Maf' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY VVATKINS, OF PHCENIX, ASSIGNOR TO DANIEL H. GOWING, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

MANURE-SPREADER.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,712, dated April 2, 18 95.

Application filed February 24,1390. Serial No. 341,413. (No model) To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY WATKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Oswego and lState of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Manure-Spreaders, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to that class of manure spreaders which are provided with a movable bottom by which the load of manure is moved slowly toward lthe rear end of the machine where it is discharged in a uniformly divided state upon the ground, by means of a stationary comb and moving beater.

My invention has for its objects to improve the construction of the movable floor or bottom which carries the manure and to provide means for supporting the bottom and prevent it from vibrating after it passes over the tail of the machine and returns underneath the machine; also to improve the mechanism for automatically stopping the movement of the bottom when the load of manure has been discharged; also to render the comb adjustable so as to retard the manurev more or less as it is carried over the tail of the machine by the beater; also to improve the means for holding the wheels of the machine on the axles.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of two sheets, Figure l is a side elevation of a manure spreader provided with m-y improvements and having the wheels on the side nearest the observer removed. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, partly in section; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing my improved device for holding the hub of the Wheel on the axle. Fig. 4 is a vertical section in line Fig. 3.h Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the rear end of the machine. Fig. 6 is a side elevation partly in section, of one of the standards supportingthe adjustable comb. Fig. 7 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 6. Fig.f8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the eccentric and bearing whereby the actuating mechanism of the movable bottom is thrown in and out of engagement. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section in line Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a vertical section in line fy-y, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section in line z-z, Fig. l'.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the vertical side boards of the manure box connected at theirlower ends by cross bars o, a a2 a3.

B B represent the front and rear axles respectively, provided with the frontsupporting wheels b and rear driving wheels b b2.

C represents the movable bottom of the manure box which is provided at its front end with a vertical end board c and is adapted to move lengthwise on longitudinal guide rails c secured to the upper sides of the cross bars a a a2 0.3.

D represents a horizontaltransverse shaft journaled in bearings d secured to the front cross bara and provided at its inner end with a sprocket wheel E `arranged centrally in the machine.

F represents an octagonal spider mounted on a horizontal transverse shaftf journaled in bearings f secured to the rear cross bar a3 underneath the movable bottom O. The latter is composed of a series of sheet metal plates or slats g of rectangular shape and `equal in length to the width of the manure box, so as to form a tight bottom.

The sheet metal plates composing the bottom of the manure box are secured centrally to the upper side of an endless chain belt g which runs around the spider F and front sprocket wheel E, which latter propels the bottom. The Width of the sheet metal plates is equal to the distance between the centers of the chain belt links g so that when the links are extended the adjoininglongitudinal edges of the metal plates will lie closely to each other and form a tight bottom for the manure box. The outer endsof the spider arms are provided with convex supports and the distance between the outer ends ofthe arms is such that they will engage in the angles formed by the adjoining slats of the bottom as the slats pass downwardly over the spider.

The pivots of the chain belt links g are arranged in line with the line of junction between the lower adjoining edges of the slats when the latter are placed side by side. This causes the lower contiguous edges of the slats to remain in contact with each other as the slats turn with the spider and prevents the formation of openings between the slats in passing over -the spider, as represented in Fig. 5.

The manure in being carried to the rear of the machine by the movable bottom is apt to enter the crevices formed between the adjoining edges of the slats as they open in passing over the spider. By making the bottom ofthe manure box of metallic plates the bottom can be made much thinner consistent with the requisite strength and the size of the crevices formed between the longitudinal edges of the sections is thereby reduced and interference with the proper working of the bottom correspondingly lessened.

The inverted portion of sectional bottom in passing underneath the machine from the spider to the front sprocket wheel is apt to break the chain belt owing to the vibration of the bottom caused by the jarringof the vehicle. When the bottom vibrates considerablyittendsto produce anirregular movement of the floor and consequently an irregular and uneven spread of the manure. This, however, is prevented by two longitudinal inclined guide bars H arranged underneath and supporting the ends of the metallic slats. i These guide bars H are secured to the under side of the vehicle body by brackets h 72. The front portions of these guide bars l-I H are raised so as to hold the retreating portion of the bottom and propelling chain sufficiently high to permit thefront wheels and axle to turn freely on the king bolt Without striking the guide bars or the floor.

I represents a beater arranged in rear of the traveling floor whereby the manure is disintegrated and discharged in a uniformly divided state upon the ground.

The beater I is preferably composed of an endless apron formed by a series of transverse slats e' provided with teeth 'i' and secured to endless chains .l J. The latter turn around sprocket wheelsjj mounted upon transverse shaftsj jonrnaled in bearings ff secured to the side boards A A. The beater is driven from a sprocket wheelj3 mounted on therear axle and connected with a gear wheelj4 on the end of the beater shaft by an intermediate gear wheelj5, sprocket Wheelj6 and link chain jl, whereby the speed of the axle is multiplied to the beater.

K represents a comb arranged above the beater I and serving to retard the flow of fertilizing material over the beater. The comb consists of a transverse rod le provided with depending teeth 7c and supported with its ends in bifurcated sockets or half bearings k2 formed in the upper end of standards 7c3 secured to the upper side of the side boards. Each of the standards is provided on its outer side with a lug 7a4 havinga series of openings h5 and each end of the comb rod 7c is provided with a depending locking piu `7.46 which is adapted to engage with its lower end in one of the series of openings 705. By turning the comb rod in its bearings the teeth ofthe comb are tilted to a greater orless extent and made to approach or recede from the beater and allow more or less material to pass over the beater.

k7 represents a catch pivoted to one side of each bifurcated socket and engaging over the adjacent end of the comb rod and holding the same against vertical movement. ing pins 7o entering the openings h5 prevent the turning of the rod and hold the comb securely in the position to which it has been adjusted. In order to turn the rod and adjust the comb the catches k7 are released and the rod is lifted until the locking pins are withdrawn from the openings. The rod is then turned and lowered so to cause the locking pins to entera different pair ofopenings.

The transverse shaft D arranged at the front of the machine is provided at its outer end with a worm wheel L. The latter meshes with a worm Z mounted on the front end of a The lock-` longitudinal shaft M jonrnaled in bearings M represents alongitudinal shaft arranged in rear of the shaft M and journaled in bearings m m. The shaft M is rotated from the rear axle by means of ybevel gear wheelsv m2 m3 arranged on the inner side of the driving wheel b and the front end of said shaft is connected with a gear wheel m4 mounted on the rear end of the front longitudinal shaft by means of adjustable cone gear wheels 'nr'y and idler m6 whereby a variable speed may be imparted to the shaft M. The latter actnates the transverse shaft D and the sprocket Wheel E through the medium of the worm l and worm wheel L for propelling the traveling floor.

N represents a clutch arranged on the inner side of the driving wheel b2 whereby the driving mechanism of the beater is thrown in engagement with or disengaged from the driving wheel b2. N represents a similar clutch mounted on the opposite end of the rear axle whereby the mechanism forpropelling the sectional floor is thrown in engagement with or disengaged from the driving wheel b. These clutches are both provided with inwardly extending rods n n connected with pivoted levers nn which latter are connected to a hand lever n.2 by means of toggles n3 and a draw bar n4. By moving the hand lever and draw bar in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, both clutches N N will simultaneously disengage the mechanism fordriving the beater and propelling the floor from the driving wheels whereby the machine ceases to operate.

O represents a tension rod arranged parallel with the draw bar and connected therewith at its frontend by a bell crank 0 whereby the clutches are held in engagement with the driving wheels. The tension rod is snpported at its rear end in a guide loop o2 secured to the upperside of the rear cross bar a3.

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tesina` o3 represents a spring surrounding the tension rod and bearingwith its ends against theloop o2 and a collar o4 secured to the tension rod whereby the latter is continually pressed forward.

o5 represents a stop secured to the front side of the end board', as shown in Fig. 5 and` in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This stop is adapted to press backwardly against a collar or lug o6 on the tension rod and relieve the draw bar from the pressure of the tension rod when the traveling oor has reached the limit of its rearward movement, whereby both clutches are automatically thrown out of gear by the tension of an auxiliary spring o7 bearing against the hand lever. This manner of operating the clutchesof the beater and Hoor propelling mechanism automatically or by hand is shown and described in my former patent, No. 374,134fdated November 29, 1887, to which reference is made for a detailed description thereof. Any other suitable device may, however, be employed to eiect the sameV purpose.

The front longitudinal shaft M is connected with the front transverse shaft D in such manner that the door propelling mechanism can loe thrown out ot' gear independent of the mechanism which drives the beater. This is accomplished by` raising or lowering the worm Z so as to engage or disengage the same from the worm wheel L by the following mechanism:

The front bearing m of the longitudinal shaft M supporting the worm Z is arranged to move vertically between two lugs p p and held against longitudinal movement on the shaft by means of a stop engagingin a vertical recessp2 formed on the inner side of the movable bearing m.

Q represents a cam pivoted between the up- .per ends of the lugspp and engaging in a horizontal slot g formed in the upper portion of the bearing fm.

q represents a handle formed on the cam Q whereby the latter can be turned and the worm can be thrown in and o ut of gear with the worm vwheel by hand.

R represents a depending arm pivoted to the under side of the machine and provided with an outward extension r which is connected with the handle of the cam by means of a connecting rod r. The depending arm R is arranged under the machine so as to swing longitudinally in the path of the lower or inverted portion of the traveling floor which is guided toward the front of the machine by the endless chain and guide bars. The depending arm is located in such a position that when the end board has reached the limit of its movement toward the beater the front end of the portion of the traveling floor underneath the machine will strike the depending arm and force the same forward. This causes the connecting rod to raise the cam and automatically disengages the worm from the worm wheel so that the movement of the ioor and end board is arrested before the latter can come into contact with the beater. By

employing this independent stop mechanism for the traveling floor the latter can be controlled independent of the mechanism for driving the beater.

Ifthe clutches on the driving wheels bind or become clogged and fail to operate the front end of the lower portion of the floor in striking the depending arm R will positively actuate the stop mechanism and throw the floor propelling mechanism out of engagement with the driving wheel b which prevents the end board from approaching the beater and injuring the same. In this position of the parts the beater continues to revolve but does not discharge any manure as the forward movement of the floor has been stopped.

When the fioor is disengaged from the driving mechanism the floor can be moved in the reverse direction by a crank s applied to the outer end of the transverse shaft D. Heretofore the hub of the wheel has been secured against longitudinal movement on the end of the axle by means of a washer and a cotter pin driven through openings in both the axle and the washer. This, however, is objectionable as the pins work loose and fall out in the course of time. To avoid this difficulty I secure the wheel hubs T to the outer end of the axles by means of a washer t and an eye bolt u, as represented in Figs. 3 and 4. The washer is provided on its outer side with an annular flange t which is provided with a notch t2 and a screw threaded opening t3 on opposite sides of its bore. The eye bolt passes through a transverse opening in the end of the axle and engages With its screw threaded end in the threaded opening in the flange of the washer while the upper eye portion of the bolt is seated in the notch of the washer whereby the wheel is securely held on the axle. The eye bolt can be easily tightened by introducing a bar in the eye and the bolt can be readily introduced in the opening of the axle as the notch in the washer exposes the perforated part of the axle to view. The notch can be cast in the washer so that only the screw threaded opening requires to be drilled.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with the manure receptacle and the beater, of a comb capable of being tilted in its supports on the receptacle, thereby adjusting the distance of the comb teeth from the beater, and a locking device whereby the comb is secured in its adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the manure receptacle and the beater, of standards secured to said receptacle, a lug formed on one of said standards and having a series of openings, and a comb supported on said standards and provided with a locking pin or arm adapted to engage in one of said openings, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the manure receptacle and the beater journaled thereon, of standards secured to said receptacle and pro- IOO IIO

vided with sockets at their upper ends, laterally projecting lugs formed on said standards and having a series of perforatons, a comb supported in said sockets and provided with depending arms which engage with the perforated lugs, and catches pivoted to the upper ends ofthe standards and adapted to engage over the comb, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the manure receptacle and its sectional bottom, of front wheels arranged below the receptacle, the actuating chain for the sectional bottom having its lower portion ascending forwardly and arranged at the front above the front wheels, and forwardly ascending.,r guide bars whereby theinverted portion of the sectional bottom is raised as it moves toward the front wheels, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the movable bottom of a manure spreader and its driving shaft arranged at the front of the machine, of a stop mechanism interposed between the movable bottom and its driving shaft, and an arm dependingr underneath the manure re ceptacle into the path of the inverted portion of the movable bottom and connected with the stop mechanism, whereby the stop mechanism is actuated by the front end of the inverted portion of the movable bottom, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the wheel hub and an axle having a transverse opening in its end, of a washer provided with a flange having a notch and a screw threaded transverse opening on opposite sides, and a screw bolt passing through said notch and the opening of said axle and engaging with its screw threaded end in the screw threaded opening of the flange, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 7th day of February, 1890.

HARRY WATKINS.

Witnesses:

CHESTER D. HoWE, r THEO. L. PoPP. 

